Higher education through celebrity auction - Proceeds go to female ward of the state

The Queens of Reggae Island Honorary Ceremony (QORIHC) has added a celebrity charity auction to kick off the 2017 staging. All proceeds go towards providing a tertiary-level scholarship to a girl living in a place of safety in Jamaica.

The auction will feature items donated by celebrities.

While it is scheduled to occur during the official tea party themed launch on October 1, persons can submit bids online via the event's Facebook page as of Friday, September 29.

"The charity auction gives artistes, celebrities, and other public figures the perfect opportunity to contribute to a very worthy cause, and we wanted to do so in a unique way," said Mye Laurell, CEO of Nyte Nurse PRO, organisers of the event.

Some of the celebrities confirmed to contribute are 2005's Miss Jamaica World Terri-Karelle Reid, Dancehall Queen Carlene, media personality Debbie Bissoon, and recording artistes Yanique 'Curvy Diva' Barrett and Shenseea.

Though all the donations have not been confirmed, Janice Young, who is in charge of public relations for the event, gives the assurance that the items will be worth bidding on.

"The articles include a stylish designer dress provided by one of the participating female celebrities among other notable items of value, all of which are not donated directly by a celebrity, but (also by) QORIHC and its partner, such as all-inclusive hotel/vacation packages and the like," said Young.

At the first staging of QORIHC in 2016, honorees were chosen from eight categories. The 2017 list incorporates three additional categories, namely Chef and Restaurateur, International Models and Popular Back-up Vocalists, which will be presented to Yvonne Hope, Nadine Willis, and Carol Dexter and Nicole Burt, respectively.

Last year's honorees included dancehall-reggae artiste Sister Nancy; Minister of Culture, Entertainment, Gender and Sport Olivia 'Babsy' Grange; Dancehall Queen Carlene; and broadcaster Elaine Wint.

The women were selected based on their hard work and contribution to the promotion of Jamaican culture, or expansion thereof, and by doing so, setting positive examples for the younger generation.

"It is necessary to honour women, not because persons feel they are not honoured enough, but it has become the norm to showcase the work or contribution of a pioneer after they have passed on. And it is far more significant to honour outstanding Jamaican females who have excelled in their various fields while they are able to accept and carry on their hard work," said Young.

Reggae recording artiste Lady G, entertainment and artiste manager Sharon Burke, fashion designer Ashley Martin, and radio broadcaster Paula-Anne Porter Jones are some of this year's honorees..

The ceremony will be held at the Courtleigh Auditorium, New Kingston, on October 29, under the patronage of Aloun Ndombet-Assamba.